Dead Boys and Editing // and do you want to read it?

I was very proud of it. It was 75,000 words of undiluted word-splat. It was all the humour I’ve longed to write (and usually fail at) in a style I’ve never tried (dry and wry) and it flowed out of my keyboard like nothing else.

Now I want to edit it.

OH WHY OH WHY AM I EDITING THIS DEAD BOY AND THE PAPER CUT? It is extremely difficult. It is monstrously difficult. Not because it’s wickedly messy (it’s actually not), but because editing is not my favourite.

I stopped to ask myself…why?

Why do I struggle with editing so much?

There are so many awesome parts about editing. The biggest plus is: the skeleton is already there. All I have to do now is trim or axe. What’s the big deal? WHAT?

Then it came to me like a smack in the head (as all epiphanies do):

I struggle with editing because I’m a perfectionist. Once upon a time I had to make my first-drafts perfect. This provided me (duh) with writers block thicker than Earth’s crust. SO, in order to combat this, I redrafted my perfectionist policies to be, a) no perfectionism on Mondays*, and b) no perfectionism in first-drafts. It fixed everything!I write horribly the first time round. I’m talking real word-vomit, here. THEN. I edit and make things better.

But this does up the pressure on editing. It’s still easier than writing that elusive “perfect” first draft (way easier, peoples), but I’ve got SUCH a mess to work with.

I have to disappear into my mind and just think of ways to make every teeny itsy bitty word the BEST and most MARVELLOUS word I can think of. It destroys one’s abilities to make conversation with other humanoids.** Everything is just, “LET ME EDIT YOUR SENTENCES, FAMILY, YOU’RE USING UNNECESSARY WORDS.” Editing makes me go slightly out of my mind.

* Mondays are the worst. ** This is hilarious. I never make good conversation. What am I even saying?

If it’s editing well, um, then I have to send it to betas. My sister gets to read it. I get to chew nails and wait for feedback. That’s the worst. What if they don’t like it? What if it’s not funny? Give me a second, I AM A BIG BUNDLE OF SELF-DOUBT.

Editing is hard but I’m pretending to be brave.

I will deny all accusations of weakness.

Shhh, don’t let anyone know your wonderful overlord has moments of non-fabulousness. And as part of my being brave…I did something huge.

So YES. You can trundle over there and follow me and read the first chapter of The Dead Boy And The Paper Cut. I’m swallowed with nerves. But I want this book to be incredible so I want feedback. (Remember! You said you’d give me feedback!) Obviously one chapter isn’t a lot, but I will post a few over the next few weeks. So FEEL FREE to give any feedback you like, either on Wattpad or in the comments here or you can even email me.

IF YOU NEED ME? I’LL BE OUT OF MY MIND EDITING!

so, writerlings?!! do you like/hate editing? (i feel like it’s easier but more pressure filled.) are you editing anything now? planning to in the future? any tricks or tips? and if you took a sneak peek of my first chapter, feel free to leave any critiques in the comments! i shall give you virtual pie.

Comments

Oh, and one perfectionist to another, editing is hard. It’s like saying ‘this amazing thing that I created and am proud of must be inherently flawed and therefore I can no longer be proud of myself’. That’s actually part of the reason I’m taking a copy-editing course (must concentrate more on that actually…) – even if I have to pick faults in my writing, I can still be a perfect editor!

Why, yes, I’d love to read that. One reason, because it’s by you, of course! Another, because that title is utterly intriguing. ONLY THE FIRST CHAPTER?! Well, then, I shall have to be patient, I suppose. Onward to WattPad…Jessy Jones recently posted…Beautiful People #5: A Escritora

OMG I JUST READ THE FIRST CHAPTER AND I CAN’T DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT FLAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holey crap, Cait, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GOOD A WRITER YOU ARE!! I almost wet myself like that poor little toddler except I was laughing so hard!!!! Honestly girlie, I NEED MORE!!!! NOW!!!!!! I have nothing to say, except that chapter was absolutely friggin amazing and is honestly the best thing I’ve read all week! Month! YEAR! If you don’t post more chapters soon, I will come over and haunt you like Thomas, except it will not be funny. I MEAN IT CAIT.Ella @ Once Upon a Bookish Time recently posted…Happy Birthday Oh Frabjous Cait!

OKAY, WELL, I JUST HAVE TO GO CRY NOW BECAUSE THIS MADE MY DAY AND AND AND AND, THANK YOU ELLA. Like you are totally an epic reviewer and I knoooow you don\’t put up with rubbish books so the fact that you like it FJDKALFSD I NEED A MOMENT. :\’)

I definitely share some of your thoughts on editing. It is a truly nerve-wracking process. That said, I don’t let perfectionist mode kick in until the last stages of editing, because I need to get all the character and pacing stuff out of the way.

I think waiting for people’s opinions is the worst. I mean, I haven’t gotten around to editing yet so there’s the possibility that’ll be even worse. But yeah, I hate waiting to know what people think. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY. I just sit there in a curled up ball and rock back and forth, wallowing in my self-doubt. It’s a great time, really.Ely @ A Book So Fathomless recently posted…UPDATE: Read 10, Buy 1

It is so haaaaard. I mean, everyone says \”it\’s your book they\’re critiquing, not you\” but at the ned of the day I AM MY BOOK. WE ARE BONDED. MY BOOK IS CONNECTED TO MY SOUL. *hyperventilates* I think that\’s why edits always seem personal.

I hate editing. There, I said it. Currently, I am rewriting because I edited so many parts of my WIP that the unedited parts read like something a primary school student could write. Rewriting, as it turns out, is more difficult than first drafting because I am a perfectionist (I think most writers are) and I am stressing over whether my characters actually sound like children when they’re children (it follows them for ten years so…). On the upside, it makes it easier to cut things. I just cut a full character and I don’t even care!

Looked at your first chapter – the metaphors were good, and I think it gave a really sense of Thomas as a character. Bonus points for making me feel sorry for him 🙁 Such a shame that the library staff have never watched Supernatural 😉

*tackle hugs* I HATE EDITING TOO. WE ARE SOUL SISTERS IN EDITING. I usually have a rewritten second draft, but I\’m actually doing a LOT of just plain editing, which is fun. 🙂 LESS DRAFTING! YAYYYYY. *ahem* I wonder if most writers are perfectionists?! I should take a poll. x)

Ugh, I hate editing! My issue is the perfectionism like you. I feel like my first draft has to be perfect. But then when I am ready to edit, that means people have to read it. I really can’t depend on myself for edits. Ha. Great post.Cynthia recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: Above Us Only Sky

OKAY I’M BACK. AND IT IS AMAZING. THERE’S SO MUCH CAIT IN THERE, AND IT’S SO WITTY, AND I LOVE THE VOICE AND THE TENSE AND THE THIRD PERSON AND HOW CRISPY THE WRITING IS (IT’S SO DANG CRISPY OMG) AND I’M KIND OF JUST FLAILING HERE. I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU AGREED TO BE MY CP BUT I AM HONOURED. I NOW NEED THE REST PLEASE AND THANK YOU KIND REGARDS.

IT\’S NOT COMPLETELY FINISHED. BUT WHEN IT IS. YOU GET IT. It\’s like 5 chapters. I didn\’t even edit today because I was busy annoying my dog. I should say \”playing\” but to be honest…I just annoy that poor little puppy.

OMG THIS JUST MAKES ME THE HAPPIEST CUCUMBER IN THE SEA. CRISPY!! I SO DESPERATELY WANT TO BE CRISPY!!

Ohhh but I love editing so much. EDITING IS MY THANG. IT IS MY SUPER POWER. Well, okay, let’s not go that far. My super power is clearly just being awesome (mwahahaha), but I digress.

I can’t do the ‘just write now’ thing as good as you. I have that ‘MUST BE PERFECT NOW’ voice in my head. I’m getting better though. I’m getting to the point where I’m forcing myself to just sit down and write and stopping going back and editing the same sentence 100 times. It’s working, I just need to keep at it and turn of my editing brain (it comes with the territory of being a professional proofreader, I guess).

DUDE I\’M GONNA STEAL YOUR SUPERPOWER OR BETTER YET JUST GIVE YOU MY BOOK AND YOU CAN FIX IT. THAT WOULD BE PERFECT. THANK YOU. I\’LL JUST EAT PIE AND RELAX WITH MY BOOKS AND YOU DO THE HARD WORK. ISN\’T THIS PERFECT?

I think I prefer writing the first draft over editing, because everything is new and shiny and you get to explore so many things, you stumble upon surprises, and you can let the story take you somewhere you hadn’t considered before. Even though editing does have its perks (you have to do less because there’s already that large chunk of text and I’m lazy), I often go through a “OH GOD THIS IS CRAP” fase when I’m editing, and then I lose motivation. After which I procrastinate even more *headdesk*Inge @ Bookshelf Reflections recently posted…I Like Juggling Books

I enjoy editing, but it’s pretty difficult and a very slow process. I think during a first draft it’s easy for me to let go of my perfectionism and just write the dang story, but once I get to editing, I have to make it better. There’s no chucking perfectionism out of the window when you edit. Ooh, I shall read your first chapter and provide feedback in some way. When I’m done with school, though, because school will start soon.Ana @ Butterflies of the Imagination recently posted…Fangirls: We Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Okay. So I’m done with the first chapter, and…OH MY GOSH. IT IS BRILLIANT. I feel like I know Thomas so well even though I’ve barely read any of the story, and even though he does some pretty naughty things, he’s likable because of his wonderful sense of humor. Your writing voice is also really strong, and it pulled me right in. The only thing I was a bit confused about was how a book killed Thomas, but I’m sure that will be revealed later, so I can wait.Ana @ Butterflies of the Imagination recently posted…5 Ways to Find Books You Will Enjoy

I AM CURRENTLY REVISING A NOVEL AND IT IS KILLING ME. GAAAAAAAH. Like you, I’m a perfectionist–so I find it very difficult to actually be HAPPY with something. It doesn’t help that 99% of the time I despise my writing, so you know, that makes it hard to look at my work in even a mildly positive way. O.oKara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…Worldbuilding: Part Eight (Religion)

I think it’s normal to be super nervous when letting people read your books. One of my friends have just written a book that I’m beta-reading at the moment, and she’s really nervous. I don’t write, but I think it’s the same kind of nervousness I get just before the premiere of a play I’ve been working on for a long time. It’s tough, and people need to see it(read it, in your case), because otherwise it just doesn’t matter.

Oh my gravy! You hit the nail on the head! That is sooo me when I’m editing! I am such a perfectionist! I’ll definitely go over and read your chapter. 🙂proverbs31teen recently posted…The Results Of A Contest And A Poem

*offers bananas in consolation* I, too, hate editing. I think you may have hit the nail on the head by saying that it’s a pressure to remove all of the rubbish of a first draft. Sure, I ‘edit’ my first draft as I go – especially if I’ve handwritten bits – but my first drafts are still… *looks at first draft. Defenestrates it.* I find I get distracted more when editing, too…which is probably a sign I’ve written some boring chapters…

Me? Apart from occasionally polishing the novel I’m querying (and panicking if I should get rid one of the first chapters or not), I’m editing my YA murder mystery at the moment. Editing is going slowly. Unsurprisingly.Alexandrina Brant recently posted…Photo of the Week: Snow!

HA. YES. Defenestrate everything. *cries in a corner* Although to be honest, this isn\’t the worst first-draft I\’ve ever coughed up. So that is pleasing too. x) I never ever edit when I\’m first-drafting though, unless it\’s a huge typo. But mostly I don\’t even fix the typos. Ergh. Hence no one EVER sees my first drafts.

lol, that surprised me a bit. I must edit typos before I can go on. I suppose that’s one way you get through first drafts so quickly, though.Alexandrina Brant recently posted…Writing Is Really Rather Odd Sometimes

I actually like editing, haha…I’m on a fourth draft right now and it’s all in glorious pieces that I’m fitting back together. I love the rush of first drafts, too, but making it GOOD is what gets me excited. It’s tougher, and I’ve done some screaming into a pillow, but it’s fun too xD

I haaaaaaaaaaaaate editing it is the bane of my existence. *nods* I know it’s necessary, but I wish I could write perfectly the first time around! Your book does sound really cool, though. I may have to read the first bit on Wattpad today if I have time…

I hate editing too. Though not be a perfectionist, by any stretch of the imagination, my problem is more of a getting overwhelmed. Unless it’s a short story I feel like I’ll never get the editing done. Or that I’m not good enough at editing to do myself justice. I do much better letting someone else go over my work first and then I’ll come in and decided what to do next. I am actually editing a short story right now, actually several. My husband and I are working on putting together a collection and publishing them by summer. I really like working with my husband because he is a perfectionist, and thus is more organized, and he just works really well editing my stuff. Sadly he’s in college right now so it’s been slow going.

Great post! I really enjoyed, and I’m hoping over to wattpad to take a look. 😀Abi recently posted…Writing Snippets

Ugh, YES. It is overwhelming. I definitely find it hard when I see like endless thousands and thousands of words stretching out. I think this is why I like to write short books. x) It\’s kind of awesome to co-write or work on something with someone else though, right?! I co-wrote a book with my sister once…it just makes it somehow easier.

I’m a perfectionist. Especially with writing. I don’t want to give my work to people when it’s not perfect, even when they’re the ones supposed to be helping me with corrections. The struggles are very real.

Don’t worry, Cait! (Ha. Says the Worrier of all Worriers herself.) You are utterly fabulous and you WILL GET THROUGH THIS! *gives chocolate* I have yet to finish a first draft, but I’ve edited some of my pieces before and it is hard – good luck! <3

Also, I just read the first chapter of your book and I really like it! It reminds me a bit of Derek Landy's snark and as we both know, his snark is perfection. I also like how you can feel how Thomas just really wants to be acknowledged. Like when he thought the librarian saw him and he started recommending books and then it turned out she didn't see him, it made my heart lurch. I look forward to reading more!Kyra recently posted…Review – The Secrets Between You and Me – Shana Norris

I feel you on the perfectionist front but I struggle with it so much that I find it hard to finish a first draft. It paralyses me. I’m one of those people who writes in her head because even typing it out because I can’t bear to read something that I think is bad.

I frustrate everyone at work because I’m always correcting grammar and telling them to remove unnecessary words. They insist it’s really not that important BUT IT IS DAMMIT, IT IS!

But you don\’t get better without being BAD first, right?! I got really really stuck when I wrote my 4th book and I nearly quit. I NEARLY DID. I hated being a sucky writer. >.> But I think I hate not writing more than I hate sucking.

YAY! *hi fives* I keep editing my sister\’s talk and she just about slapped me to Mexico the other day. BUT STILL. One must talk concisely. *nods*

I find my ignorance showing when I say that I don’t have an idea of what’s Wattpad? But now I can follow the story, yeah!

I read the first chapter (after spying Wattpad, I’ll admit) and I want to hug Thomas and then go wreak havoc with him. I like your style, I do so love sarcastic characters so yeah. Can’t wait for the next chapter, honest!

YAY! I\’M GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT!! XD Hehe, and you probably have already figured it out, but yes, Wattpad is just basically an online writing platform. I could\’ve posted her on my blog, but eh, I figured to try something new as well. 😉

I’ve been a ghost myself for the past few months… a ghost follower, that is. Now I’m commenting because your story is SO. GOOD! I want to read the rest! I totally think you should edit it and get it published! I would buy a copy.

On a (somewhat) different note, editing is hard… especially for perfectionists. To quote Frozen (*cringe*) “Let it go… let it goooo!” Just do your best; it doesn’t have to be perfect. Editing gets you to “your best” and should be looked on as one of those necessary good-for-you things (like dentist appointments and exercise). There’s always going to be someone out there who hates what you’ve written, but for every one of those people, there are going to be twenty others who LOVE what you’ve written, because you are a really talented and imaginative writer!

*waves* HELLO, ABBEY!! I\’m glad you\’re not a ghost anymore because it\’s absolutely fabulous to meet you. x) AND FAJDAKLFDS I AM SO VERY PLEASED YOU LIKED MY STORY. THIS MEANS, LIKE, THE WORLD TO ME. THANK YOU.

DON\’T CRINGE. That is a perfect quoting of Frozen. So long as I get an ice place and chocolate. *stamps foot* Now.

I, personally, am not a writer. Why should I have to be creative when I can read the products of other people’s creativity? (this translates into: I’m hella lazy and writing is hard work).

BUT, I do have a writerling (??) as a best friend, and so am in charge of beta-ing. I think it’s probably difficult to edit because you have to re-read everything you’ve already written, and I know I would get impatient. That’s why betas/best friends/siblings exist.

Also, The Dead Boy And The Papercut sounds like the funniest thing I’ve ever read. I will get over there when I have some time on my hands.Maddy E recently posted…Fanfiction: It’s Real Fiction.

HAAAH! That\’s me so often though. \”Why am I writing crappy books when I could read other author\’s awesomeness?!\” >_< A great mystery. It is hard work. PHEWF. Writerling is definitely a word. I use it copiously. I agree though! I hate rereading my own stuff again and again, especially when I\'m always dissatisfied.

I actually am pretty good at editing. I’ve found that I prefer editing my own work than others. Some people have such horrible mistakes that it’s almost exhausting to repeatedly fix. I feel that I’m really in tune with my own writing style and what I’m capable of doing as a person. That being said, when I edit, I strive for a level of excellence that can only be hit if I REALLY work. I don’t consider myself a perfectionist but I know that I care deeply about the quality of my work.

What I have a hard time doing is finishing a MS, which I think is worse. I’m halfway through my book and I haven’t touched it in a while because I’ve lost inspiration, which sucks.Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…Mandatory Rules On: Writing Reviews

I kind of like editing. But then, I’m kind of nit-picky and detail-oriented, so I guess it just goes well with my personality. I don’t find it adds any pressure, even though I’m a perfectionist… but that’s mainly because I don’t really edit with publication in mind. That would really stress me out. (The thought of publishing a book and then finding a typo in it later… that would be devastating. I’d be afraid to show my face in public, even though I know that most people don’t really give a damn if you misplaced one comma in your magnum opus. Heck, I’m mortified when I find typos on my blog… and that’s easily editable!)La Coccinelle @ The Ladybug Reads… recently posted…Review – All Our Yesterdays

I am so nooooot detail orientated. *wails forever* I think this is why it bothers me so much. I want it to be perfect, but I struggle to focus. Awk, it would be so so hard to self-publish. I absolutely admire anyone who does it. I would die because mistakes and me are married.

Being a perfectionist makes everything 100000x harder than it has to be. It also creates more stress than you’d ever need.

I haven’t written in so long and have never finished writing a novel, but I’m pretty sure editing would kill me. Though I did used to procrastinate writing new things by going back and editing what was already written… Not that I was any good at it. I can’t even edit uni assignments well. I miss so many things because I get bored rereading what I’ve already written.

The way you describe this story has me so intrigued so I’m going to bookmark your wattpad account for future reading 😀Bec @ Readers in Wonderland recently posted…ARC Review: Little Peach by Peggy Kern

ERgh YES. Don\’t I know it. I\’m a lot less of a writing-perfectionist than I used to be and…it still pains me. I always miss stuff when I edit too, so I think that\’s another reason I find editing so hard. I KNOW typos will escape me. I tend to \”fix it in my head\” automatically and not realise I haven\’t on the actual screen. *growls to self*

I’m currently editing my latest high fantasy novel, Traitors & Tyrants. I used to hate the editing process but I’m really growing to like it. Personally, I have Tolkien to thank for it. I learned a few things about his drafting/editing process last year that really put things in perspective for me. I’m starting to enjoy the process of writing more so than just the end product (don’t get me wrong I love to complete projects).Stephanie B recently posted…The Music that Inspired Traitors & Tyrants

Editing…yes, editing is hard. i haven’t done a lot of editing, too, so I think that makes it harder for me. And eep!! The first chapter was soooo good! Thomas makes me laugh. He’s such a grumpy person…well, I would be too if I were a ghost.Emma Clifton recently posted…An Update on Corroded Thorns

Man, I relate to this so much. I usually spend months editing the first couple of chapters alone (though I write long chapters), because I always get so stressed that if the first chapter isn’t perfect, the rest of the book will be terrible, etc etc. Then I end up getting frustrated with how long editing takes and rush through the rest of the book, then get mad at myself for rushing the rest of the book, and the cycle repeats.

So–I’m totally with you here. I don’t have any advance, just some solidarity.

Ohhhhh sadly? I also kind of freak out about editing. I kind of like line editing better because then I can let ALL THE PERFECTIONISM kick in and it feels so much easier than doing massive, messy, edits.

And yes…I am sorta kinda editing now. Or procrastinating from it and worrying over it. Which totally counts right?

Line edits feel easier, *nods* They so do. WELL. Maybe not \”easier\” but they feel more manageable. It\’s trying to get the plot and characters working and taking out plot holes that gahhhh my brain fries.

Editing and revisions are so dang difficult, man! I totally get you! I’m currently editing my second completed novel and it’s painful at times, but I think at first I looked at as this huge monolithic mountain, when I should have been looking at it in chunks. I split the story up into three parts and just looked at the by parts from beginning to end while also realizing that I wouldn’t go through my story just once. I would probably go through it at least 3-4 times after it before sending it off. Don’t get discouraged! You’re great!Amanda P. recently posted…Hello, Love: February Vol.1

I think I edited my first book at least 7 times. Like, not counting rewrites. I edited it (heavily) twice last year alone. WHAT IF THIS BOOK IS THE SAME? I WILL BE EDITING UNTIL I\’M GREY HAIRED AND BLIND.

YES ZOMG I WILL SO READ IT. Wattpad screws with my computer, so I probably won’t be able to comment on the actual site, but I will definitely e-mail you my thoughts! 🙂The Magic Violinist recently posted…January Wrap-Up

I actually quite enjoy editing. Like you, I’m a perfectionist, and first drafts can drive me nuts because they aren’t perfect. Editing, however, is taking sandpaper and smoothing out all of my issues. Currently, I’m working through my NaNo novel from last year, having just finished editing the third book of my Bookania Quests. (It’s releasing in 10 days, so I had to upload the final file to kindle yesterday).

Tips? I’m not sure I really have any that I haven’t already given you at one time or another, or that you’ve seen elsewhere. Just remember that you’re polishing the story so that it becomes perfect, and don’t despair because it isn’t perfect RIGHT NOW.

And I read over the first chapter. It’s pretty good, though not quite what I’d pick up on whim. (I’m not a paranormal fan. Sorry. I go more for epic fantasies and retellings.) The only critique that I have that I haven’t seen someone else make is that you should probably use “bladder” instead of “bowels” when dealing with that kid. Because bowels are your small intestines, and … well … sciency things that I don’t like talking about online.Kendra E. Ardnek recently posted…Character Encounters – February 2015

First, you win at books because you mentioned the “cantankerous pigeon”. I freaking LOVE that pigeon. Thomas and that pigeon seem to have quite a bit in common 😉 Basically, I ADORE your first chapter! I need to know many more things about Thomas, immediately. Or you know, whenever you’d like to share. But soon, okay? I have questions! And I must say, there is something quite special about your writing. I know that isn’t helpful, but that is all I can really figure out. It’s witty, intelligent, but there’s that extra lovely “something” that I can’t quite put into words, but is definitely there.

As for writing… my biggest problem is basically that I am always a perfectionist. Which is why during NaNo, I wrote and erased so many words before finally crying and giving up. For some reason, I can’t just let stuff flow and then edit later, I am always so hyper-aware of every word that it ends up being a mess. Perhaps I need to drink while I write- nothing like a glass of wine to move things along 😉Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…Let’s Talk About Book Blogging!

YAY YOU UNDERSTOOD MY REFERENCE. XD The book is (hopefully) going to be littered with references like that because its like a book for bookworms. x) heh. Omg, but I didn\’t think about it. Thomas is the pigeon. I feel like he would drive the bus whether anyone said yes or no.

Editing (what I have to edit) is one of my favorite parts! The refinement is enlightening for me! It also suits my (sometimes) O.C.D. perfectionism. Now I need to actually finish a first draft to edit, as well as get I published. Oh boy! I think my goal of getting published before e age of sixteen is reasonable.

And I just got a Wattpad account also. I will definitely check it out. Yay!

I’m not editing anything right now. I’m working on the Oddball sequel and hopefully when I get halfway through with it or finish it, I plan to edit the first one. I have some plotting issues so what happens or doesn’t happen in the sequel might effect (affect? I always confuse those) the outlive of the first book. I aiming for it as a summer project.

Sometimes I wish I could just write down everything people say to me throughout the day, mark it up with a red pen, and send it back with a note about how they could drastically improve their communication skills if only they would consider what words they’re using and cut out all of that extra fluffy stuff. There was one manager I had to work with fairly regularly that I almost recorded just to make him listen to himself. He needed a gigantic dose of “No really, just say what you’re trying to say and STOP TALKING.”

Even worse, when I’m doing a lot of editing, I will actually start making changes in the e-mails that have been sent to me before I reply. I will type my response, then go through their original e-mail and fix typos. It’s a problem.

Thank god my immediately family understands (and is usually pretty good about not saying things that make me want to edit them). My fiance understands, but I still frequently correct his word choice (he has a nasty tendency to say “boughten” and “broughten” and it just drives me up a wall — he tried to convince me that it was a real word once, so we looked it up on google to prove him wrong).

YAY I AM NOT ALONE WHILST I EDIT MY FAMILY. hehe. They usually sock me in the face with a soft shovel, but whatever. I mostly always want people to stop talking. Or at least talk less… conciseness! Briefness! It\’s not hard! xD

LAEHTUJRGBNDFSBGHSBDGFAB I’M GOING TO GO READ THAT FIRST CHAPTER RIGHT NOW!!!

Ok, I’m back, and OH MY GOSH I LOVE IT!!!!

As for editing, I don’t really edit. When we had to write short stories for school, I would write the whole thing in one go, and then I’d glance over it for typos and whatnot, but then I’d just hand it in.

Always got decent marks, though, so I didn’t really need to edit.

And now, with the (attempted) writing of books and such…I’m going to wait until I finish it before I start editing. Figure it’s better that way.Cassie recently posted…Harry Potter: A Magical Adventure

Cait, stop teasing us like this and give us the whole book instead of one chapter! We start off with an amazing first sentence and I love that the first chapter takes in a library because it’s something I’m familiar with. I loved how you reference books and I laughed so hard about the “smutty novels from the adult department”. I felt like as a reader, I can relate to the things you wrote about, like the how children treat books. I really hope to read more of this in the future and can’t wait until you finish editing!Kaylie recently posted…Just an Update

HAHA. Aw, sorry for teasing. ACTUALLY: I AM NOT. *cackles in an evil laugh* YES! I\’m really hoping this is a book bookworms can really relate to…on like a bookish level. A book about books basically. x)

Oh you have some good points there on why you don’t like editing. For me, I think the easiest part is editing since everything is already there; you just got to tweak it. But after reading your post, writing stuff down seems easier too since you’re just jotting down whatever is on your mind. I still think editing is easier though because all of your ideas are right in front of you. I rather edit than start from scratch. It takes me forever to think of an idea and start writing my intro , body, conclusion (I’m taking about when I’m writing an essay for school haha).Leigh @ Little Book Star recently posted…Review: The Conspiracy of Us (Untitled #1) by Maggie Hall

I DO like that everything is already there. I feel like there\’s less imagination needed and more, like, realism…to get all the flighty sentences to work together. x) BUT TRUE! I guess I\’m so so used to just stream of consciousness since I blog so much and also review….that when it comes to knuckling down to edit, I scream! haha!

As I said, your first chapter is good. Nothing in particular stood out to me that needed fixing. Speaking of which, would you like critique and if so, what should I look for?Robyn Hoode recently posted…All is Fair In Love and Plot Bunny Catching

Try not to panic. Also, chances are that the problem (whatever it is) isn’t as bad as you think. Sometimes, you can fix something big just by tweaking a few sentences. If you feel yourself getting too overwhelmed, take a break find a shoulder to cry on, and let the problem simmer in your subconscious for a while. That being said, I volunteer as Tribute a friend to cry over editing with. 🙂Robyn Hoode recently posted…All is Fair In Love and Plot Bunny Catching

I\’m usually concerned about what I\’m doing/where I\’m putting things. Like is it too early to spill this? IS it too late? etc etc It is a life burning TRIAL. heh. But that\’s why I lob it off to betas and they tell me how to do it. xD SOMETIMES. My betas often go awol. Did you think Thomas sounded to modern at all? He\’s supposed to have grown up in the 40s. He\’s a less awesome Captain America. haha.

Thomas felt like a teenager to me, but not particularly modern. I think it’s okay for him to sound a little modern, since he does live in the now, but definitely not too modern. “He’s a less awesome Captain America.” XD

As for when stuff is said/revealed, I can’t tell without more of the story.

I like to edit on the one hand since I already have words to work with. On the other hand, I also struggle with the need for “perfection” or at least something near it in the later drafts. I guess I’m terrified I’m just making the whole book WORSE. I’m currently rewriting a novel. For me, rewriting is kind of a cross between first drafting and editing proper, so in a sense, it’s the best of both worlds. I can’t wait to read your story!Tara (T. T. Kesley) recently posted…Jan 2015 Recap

SAME! I totally agree with that statement. I really don\’t want to make my book worse. It scares me a lot that I might wreck a good thing (or worsen it…gah, who knows). I\’m also a fast worker, so the slower pace of editing stumps me a little. But quality over fastness, I say! Usually I rewrite my second drafts, but I\’m doing a LOT of editing for this one…phewf. Not sure if it\’s a good thing or bad. XD

Good luck with the editing. I’m kind of scared of editing. I mean, I’ve done it before but I never can decide if what I’ve cut out should stay in the novel or not. And then I think I wrote a load of rubbish and just have a mini-exitential crisis (like: “what is the point of life if I waste it writing crap?”). Next thing you know I’m super-editing everything ruthlessly and telling myself: “I have a plan” and then I continue to write the story. The thing with chopping the thing into pieces is that it’s so big and reading through the whole thing to see if it makes sense with a paragraph lobbed off is a no-no unless I want to stay on the laptop for a whole day! Sigh.

BUT HEY YOU’RE ON WATTPAD AND WE ARE GOING TO BE READING YOUR STUFF. WHOOP WHOOP. GOOD ON YOU CAIT COS I’M FREAKING OVER THE MOON RIGHT NOW! 😀Mawa Mahima recently posted…Loony Literate Launch: Blog Hop!

Aah, that’s so awesome that you’re posting the first chapter on Wattpad! I definitely want to go read it soon, as (I think I’ve mentioned) I’m very excited about your book. 😉 I don’t have too much experience with editing, but now that I’ve started rewrites of The Orchard Novel…well, it can be kind of daunting and a lot of work. So GOOD LUCK to you with your edits of TDBATPC! You’re going to rock this, Cait!Taylor Lynn recently posted…Roald Dahl: Children’s Author Extraordinaire

EDITING IS HARD. WRITING IS HARD. EVERYTHING IS HARD. I also read your first chapter AND IT IS GOOD I WANT MORE. And I asked if you were going to be posting the whole story on WattPad BUT YOU IGNORED ME ON TWITTER. SO NOW YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION HERE. Thanks :3Valerie recently posted…Review: Seraphina

YAY! FINALLY!!!! 🙂 I’ve been desperate to read more of your writing. I will go, I will devour and I will enjoy. I have this story in my head, that’s been bugging me for almost two years now.. but it just won’t come out and get on to paper. I don’t think I’d do well with editing either. I tend to spend 5 hours agonising over 1 sentence. NOT GOOD! Will you be posting more than 1 chapter??? I feel I’m going to read it and then want more… but not be able to get more hahaCharnell @ Reviews from a Bookworm recently posted…The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

How come the book is no longer online? I absolutely love the book and if you are publishing or anything I will support you one hundred percent. The Dead Boy And The Paper Cut has haunted me since I read it last year. I would love to read the book again. Please tell me what happened to the amazing book you gifted me with.